Sports
Sports Hall of Fame to Make a New Plaque for Brandi Chastain
It’s a ‘freaking embarrassment’.
World Cup champion Brandi Chastain agreed to Hall of Fame president Kevin O’Brien’s offer to redo the plaque if she sent in a new picture of herself.
Chastain was inducted into the San Fransisco Bay Area Hall of Fame on Monday, but the plaque dedicated to her was far from accurate.
An unknown artist designed the bronze plaque “which shows a lumpy floating face, at least thirty pounds heavier than the real Chastain, and a hairdo that George Washington’s wife, Martha, might have worn,” Fox KTVU described.
San Fransisco sports columnist Ann Killion was outraged by the representation of the soccer icon, calling it a “freaking embarrassment”.
Brandi Chastain is one of the most beautiful athletes I’ve ever covered. How this became her plaque is a freaking embarrassment for BASHOF. Makes Cristiano’s look perfect. pic.twitter.com/hta6c0cmSo
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) May 22, 2018
“No, I didn’t feel it was a perfect representation, but I’m not an artist. I don’t know how hard it is to make one of these things,” Chastain told KTVU. Chastain’s husband, Jerry Smith, added, “I walked in there and I’m trying to figure out which one is Brandi. I finally see her name and said, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I don’t think that looks too much like her.”
Critics of the plaque expressed their views on Twitter, saying the depiction of Chastain mirrored (a stoned) Jimmy Carter, Bill Belichick, Gary Busey, Babe Ruth, Mickey Rooney and Mrs. Doubtfire.
I don't know about Brandi Chastain, but they nailed Mickey Rooney. pic.twitter.com/wfSb7irMbx
— Jason Davis, The ⚽📻 Maker (@davisjsn) May 22, 2018
Ever wished you could start a career covering your favorite sport? Have you spent time wishing you could combine your love of sports with your passion for writing and reporting? CMN’s Sports Journalism course is an experiential learning program designed to give the practical experience you need to get your foot in the door in this ultra-competitive industry. You’ll get useful, direct feedback on your reporting, exposure to experienced sports journalists and influencers, and a great place to build your portfolio. You can get college credit, too. Get all the details on the CMN's Sports Journalism Course here.